Ready for a Financial Glow-Up in 2026, Reader?

Hi Reader,

Welcome to The Money Series and if you are new here, thank you for signing up. Personal Finance can feel ambiguous and overwhelming, but I am here to help simplify the journey.

As we wrap up another calendar year and soak in the familiar mix of excitement, exhaustion, and reflection, allow me to gently nudge you into a thoughtful space this weekend. Together this year, we’ve explored how to save, grow, and protect your money, and now, it feels right to shift the spotlight back to you.

Today, I invite you to pause and reflect on your financial journey in 2025. Not with judgment. Not with pressure. Just honest curiosity. Your answers might surprise you, and they’ll definitely help you make more intentional choices in the new year. After all, what gets measured gets managed.

What financial decision(s) am I most proud of this year?

Think back for a moment. What did you do with your money this year that made you smile, even a little?

Did you save more consistently? Explore your money dial? Pay off a debt that had been weighing on you? Start investing, even if it was with baby steps? Did you invest in yourself - maybe a course, a tool, or a habit that made life easier? Did you finally start tracking your money more consciously? Did you stick to some or all of your budget?

Remember: financial wins don’t have to be huge leaps. Sometimes a win is simply saying “no” to an expense that didn’t align with your goals. Sometimes it’s fixing a small money leak. Sometimes it’s giving yourself permission to spend on things that make your life richer and more aligned with your values.

Maybe you finally opened that brokerage account, or maybe you negotiated a higher-paying role. Whatever yours looked like, celebrate it. No win is too small. Every step forward is a foundation for an even stronger 2026.

What were some of the poor money decisions I made this year?

Yes. The “What was I thinking?” moments. We all have them.

Maybe it was a shopping spree you knew you didn’t need, an investment that promised heaven but delivered stress, a loan you gave even though you kow that the borrower would not repay, that over-the-budget item you got because saying “no” felt awkward and oh, the Black Friday sales! We listen but we don’t judge, please🌚😂.

First, please forgive yourself. Truly. You’re human.

Write those decisions down. Note what happened, how you felt, and where things went off track. Then ask yourself: What did this teach me? What boundaries, habits, or knowledge do you need to carry into 2026 so you don’t repeat the same patterns?

Whether it’s building financial literacy, creating better systems, or simply saying “no” more often, this is your chance to reset with clarity.

What money beliefs did I learn and unlearn this year?

Our money habits don’t emerge from nowhere. They’re shaped by our upbringing, culture, past experiences, education, and yes, social media too.

Maybe you grew up in a home where money was a tense topic, so planning feels overwhelming. Maybe a scarcity mindset made you overspend, underspend, or feel guilty about money altogether.

Ask yourself: What money beliefs did I release this year?
Did you stop believing that investing is “for the rich”?
Or let go of the “you only live once” mindset that drains your savings?
Or drop the fear of checking your account balance?

Also reflect on the beliefs you gained. Perhaps you now understand emergency funds. Or how investing works. Or how to navigate black tax without drowning.

Which of these beliefs served you well in 2025 - and which ones will help you flourish in 2026?

On a scale of 1 - 10, how would I rate my financial health in 2025?

How did you do this year, honestly? Give yourself a score - not to shame yourself, but to understand your starting point.

Did you build or grow your emergency fund?
Did your spending improve?
Did your income go up?
Did you stick to your debt repayment plan?
Do you know your financial baseline and what part of your income it consumes?
Did you follow through on the goals you set at the beginning of the year?

Now look at your good and not-so-great decisions side by side. What number feels fair?

If you want to go deeper, calculate your net worth:
Assets (everything you own) minus liabilities (everything you owe).
Enough of tracking celebrities’ net worth, it’s time to know your own 🌚.

Write it down. Then set a target for where you want it to be by December 2026.

In conclusion…

Remember: the foundation of real financial change is self-awareness. Don’t skip past your money decisions from this year and rush into the next. Take a quiet moment over the holidays to face your finances with honesty and compassion. Notice where you are. Sit with any emotions that arise. Then use those insights to craft a financial plan that actually works for your life.

You can’t keep doing things the same way and expect different results. You know this.

If you have questions, thoughts, or money wins you want to share, just hit reply — I’m here for you. 

Reflect on This:

• If your future self (the version of you you deeply admire) reviewed your 2025 financial choices, what would they thank you for, and what would they gently encourage you to do differently?

Till next week, I am rooting for you, money-ly!

Dee         

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Disclaimer: This does not constitute financial advice. Please conduct your research or consult your financial advisor for important financial advice.